They call New Braunfels, Texas home. They also call it the 'heart' of the Lone Star State; a vortex of cool that might just be the center of the universe. Considering its size, New Braunfels is an especially happening place. It is the home of one of America's great radio stations in KNBT. There are several wonderful venues, including Whitewater Amphitheater, Gruene Hall, The Phoenix, River Road Ice House, Tavern In The Gruene, just to name some. There is also a community of talented artists living there that call one another brother (and sister). Another thing that NB is known for are float trips, and Midnight River Choir became a band from a 27 person, 6 raft excursion on the Guadalupe River. This a meandering affair, where you can trail your beer in the water to keep it cool. Fun, frolic, nirvana. Oh, and did I mention that this fateful event took place at night, under a full moon? And so the Midnight River Choir was born.
Just up I-35 a few miles, in San Marcos, the Cheatham Street Warehouse is yet another cool venue. It is Kent Finlay's place, and he has been a mentor to countless neophyte musicians since he opened the doors of this legendary honky tonk in 1974. Cheatham Street has been the Tuesday night home of the Midnight River Choir since November of 2008. The four principal members play a myriad of instruments. They are apt to change positions on stage multiple times a night. For our Music Fog session, lead singer Eric Middleton was on rhythm acoustic guitar; Justin Nelson played lead acoustic guitar; Mitchell Pyeatt was on drums, and Jeromie Yager played bass. And they all sang backup vocals. MRC released their first CD in November of 2009, Freedom Wine. They are working on album number two. They might have even been working on it when they came to our studio at the Steamboat Grand during MusicFest. They laid down a track that they had just worked up a couple of days prior, and it even got named in our presence, a song written by Mitchell, called "My Friend." So, here is the first ever recording of that tune, on Midnight River Choir's Music Fog debut!
- Jessie Scott